Bahrain and France are set to deepen their strategic partnership following official talks between Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and French President Emmanuel Macron. The discussions, held to strengthen bilateral ties, aimed to expand cooperation across various sectors, including defence, energy, technology, and sustainable development.
The two leaders reviewed the longstanding relationship between their nations, focusing on advancing their strategic partnership to support shared economic and security interests. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments, particularly concerning the Middle East, and discussed collaborative efforts to address regional challenges.
Notably, King Hamad highlighted a defence cooperation agreement signed during his February visit to France. This agreement sets the framework for expanding collaboration in key areas such as security, energy, technology, trade, scientific research, and cultural exchanges. The talks also explored potential joint projects in energy, industry, and transportation, including a proposed railway connectivity linking Bahrain with other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Regional security and defence cooperation were emphasized, with both leaders underscoring the importance of joint efforts to protect their countries and promote regional stability. King Hamad condemned recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed Bahrain’s solidarity with the kingdom. He praised France’s contributions to maritime security and its efforts to foster stability in the region.
Energy security was another key focus, as both leaders stressed the importance of reliable energy supplies and closer cooperation to tackle regional and economic challenges. Following the meeting, Bahrain and France signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. This agreement aims to bolster expertise and technical capabilities for a civilian nuclear energy program through specialized training and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
The meeting also saw King Hamad awarding President Macron the Collar of the Order of Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Exceptional Class, in recognition of Macron’s efforts to strengthen bilateral relations. This visit reaffirmed the commitment of Bahrain and France to deepen their strategic partnership and expand cooperation across defence, energy, industry, and advanced technology.